OPINION: Why Bridcutt can be a key player for Forest next season

Shannon McLoughlin

Liam Bridcutt has proved over the last three fixtures that Jack Colback’s services are not needed on a permanent basis next season.

Bridcutt has fought his way back into the Nottingham Forest side and has shown the fans and Aitor Karanka that he can be a key player in next year’s Championship campaign.

Colback joined the Reds on loan in January and despite his known reputation has impressed during his time at the City Ground and some fans are keen to see him brought on a permanent basis in the summer but, in my opinion, he is not needed.

Bridcutt joined Forest during last year’s summer transfer window from Leeds and was thrown straight into the starting 11 and became a regular figure in the team but received a heavy amount of criticism from the fans.

Many shifted the blame of the team’s poor results on the 28-year-old and he unfairly became the side’s ‘scapegoat’. His performances often went underappreciated and rarely received the praise he desperately deserved.

But having spent some time on the side-lines and playing alongside a different crop of talented players Bridcutt has reminded fans the crucial influence he can have on the team.

Both Bridcutt and Colback play in similar positions alongside Ben Watson in the midfield and both bring different abilities to the side but Forest may not have the funds to afford both.

Colback offers nothing more to the team than what Bridcutt can and being on loan from a Premier League side his wages and signing fee may be too much for the Reds to pay.

Forest aren’t known to be one of the big spenders in the league and despite new owners only 11 months ago may not have the available funds to splash the cash.

Fans believe that manager Karanka will have money to spend in the summer to bring in the necessary recruits but Colback will be a waste of that.

Forest aren’t in desperate need to fill his position as they already have Bridcutt, Watson, Ben Osborn and Adlene Guedioura whereas they are in other areas on the pitch.

The large sum of money that would be spent on Colback’s fee can be used somewhere else where it is desperately needed so.

Colback is known for his attitude and has reportedly made enemies at Newcastle and that is not the type of player that Forest would want to bring into the club. Even though he may have changed it is not worth the risk.

Bridcutt lost his place in the Forest starting line-up when Karanka took the managerial reins through suspension after he accumulated too many yellows and then struggled to fight his way back in.

But he was introduced as a late substitute against Ipswich a week ago on Saturday and impressed as he helped the side earn a late three points.

He then scored he first goal for the Reds a week later in his first start for the team in over three months.

He was then rewarded for his impressive performances with another start in Tuesday night’s match up against Barnsley, in which he could’ve easily walked away with the man of the match award.

Bridcutt proved to Karanka and the Forest fans what they have been missing over the recent months as he covered every blade of grass.

He played in more of a roaming role across the midfield and was heavily involved in the attacking chances. He constantly chased down the opposition when they were on the ball and helped kept the game at a high tempo.

Bridcutt’s hard work and dedication has often gone unknown and underappreciated at the City Ground but he has finally started to win the Forest faithful over and has proven he can be a key figure in the next campaign.

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